Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-11-24
SPIES.
A sketch of the Anarchist Editor and
AgitatOr.

Agitator.
August Spies was born in Friedwald, in the
province Of Hesse Germany in 1855. He was
educated by a private tutor during his earlier
years, after which he studied at a polytechnic
institute. At the age of 16 he took up the study
of forestry. year later he sailed for Amer
lea. In the spring OF 1880 he took charge
Of the business management OF the Arbeiter
ZeitunD. shortly afterward assuming the posi-
ton of editor. Spies was well connected. His
family and associates, aside from those culti-
waited in his revolutionary acts, are among the
best people In Now York, says a special from
that city. They nre in no sense in sympathy
With their knsInau,A Ideas or principleR. like
have happy, pleasant homes-in a few In
stances rich and luxuriant homes families of
promising children; and all their surroundings
of such Il character as to mark them rather as
the element with which their relation was at
war.
Spies was vain aud had an altitudinous opin-
ion OF himself. This vanity was also apparent
in his writing, which he literally interpolated
with phrases and quotations from the Latin,
Greek, and French.
But with all, he was honest The influence
of his paper was great ut one time, and Spies
repeatedly refused to accept bribes for the
illegtimate use of that influence and counte-
nanced no semDlance Of dishonesty in the ex-
preston or formation OF opinions that his paper
might contain.
His own income from the paper never ex-
ceeded $50 per week; he limited himself to that
amount, and from IL supported his mother and
younger brothers, as well as extending frequent
help to other brothers who were in business
in factory she is now q dref smaker, and IA.
her turn has provided for her mother since
August's imprisonment.
In the face Of his fiery anl denunciatory
editorials and manifestoes. he was easily af-
fected at the sight Of suffering or blood. lp1n
one occasion, returning from the inspection of
mine disaster, he was affected TO tears while
reciting the incidents to his associate editor.
Upon another occasion, when Viewing the
bodies Of two girls VINO "a IN terror mad had Ieapea
tainted away and refused to look upon the
eight again.
When travelling through the coal districts OF
Illinois he gave his money and even pawned
his watch to relieve some of the starving min
ers, and telegraphed to his paper for means to
return
Spies was a natural and combative orator,
bold and decided in his attitude, qualities that
were quickly recognized by n large circle Of
female admirers, who haunted the office and
the homo and made themselves universally
frequent wherever the object Of their admira-
ton chanced to be. He loudly and frequently
asserted his decision never to marry.
With these favorable traits OF Character
Spies, as his years increased aud his enthusi-
asm reduced itself to settled policy, might
| have been an instrument of reform and benefit
| for the workingman. 1t was not so long since
| when Spies looked for the accomplishment of
his purpose to purely scientific and peaceful
arguments and means, and when he was in fro
| quent consultation and constant correspondence
with John swinton, whose policy was an en-
tirely satisfactory one to Spies himself.
Upon the occasion OF the nihilist excitement
! in Russia, Paul Grottkow, then an editor al
| writer on the Arbeiter ZeituItJ, urged that the
crimes committed by those fanatics should be
| charged as the action OF tho police. This Spies
strenuously opposed, declaring that the nihil-
sts alone were guilty, IL was justihable, and
they should be applauded for what they had IN.
dividually DONE without transferring the credit
| in any other direction.
While claiming that communism would be
| the final result Of the social economy he was
advocating, he was consistently lenient toward
minor offenders who endoavored to anticipate
their outlined millennium by appropriatine
| that which belonged TO some one else. But
/ with striking inconsistency ho violently op-
/ posed any attempt of his unwashed constitu-
| ency to interfere with his personal property
| One night he was awakened by the prowlings
| of a burglar about his house, and grasping his
revolver be gave chase 70 the fellow for the dis
tance OF some four blacks, perforating the all
| with bullets, probably to the terror OF ths fee
ing robbber and to tho destruction OF his own
| theories.
There we're unsavory incidents in tho history
| of Spies family, some OF them serving to EN-
! phasiz3 Augusts good points. younger
| brother, In company with boys OF his own age
hired wagon ard went into the country for a
| days recreation. On their return toward oven
ing they we're attracted to an orchard by rich
display OF ripe fruit, and while hlling theil
pockets, after having distended their stonachs
they were interrupted by the farmer who pro.
| tested against tho robbery. fusillado OF
stones followed, one Ct them unfortunately
| striking the farmers temple, and stretching
him dead upon the ground. writer ON Spies
| paper. desirous of doing as little outrage TO his
EDITORS feelings as possible, I'm preparing an nc
| count OF the lnCluentt inCilutu toWhhu eNCubes
for tho boys. August saw tho proof before IL
went in the paper, crumpled IL in his hand and
/ threw IL into the waste basket. saying that he
would treat tho case himself. He did so, and
| excoriated the young men, demau ding theil
punishment, although his brother was ohe o
/ them. This brother was afterward shot ant
killed by a policeman, and August then and
there vowed he would be revenged for the
shooting From that time the police were spe-
cial objects Of attack i'm his paper.
It was at this period an event occurred that
warmed Spfes' future life While he was in this
partially infamed opposition 20 tho police al
the instruments OF his brothers death, Johann
Most with his murderous teachings, came on
the scene and preached In tho willing ears Of
the young editor The words bore their fruit
Spies listened and the tone and character o
his writings undergent a radical change.
The opinion Of Spies upon hanging is Of in
terest just at this time and may be told In q
few words
A hanging had taken place in Chicago and the
question anne mp in the editorial department
as 10 the prorcr tres tnlent IL should receive
Grottkow was for doing Il up in a few words
whilo Spies argued that II was q sensations